Creating Healthier Lives

Celebrating Earth Day and Remembering Professor Wangari Maathai

Posted by on Apr 18, 2012 in Announcements, Green Home

Celebrating Earth Day and Remembering Professor Wangari Maathai

Professor Wangari Maathai was a woman who lived life with passion, determination, and inspiration.  So much so that she’s made a lasting impact on millions of people across the globe.

Some of her accomplishments include being the first woman from Central and East Africato earn a doctorate degree and founding the Green Belt Movement.  She became the first person in history to win the Nobel Peace Prize for the environment.  She did this by providing over a million people with the ability to earn an income by planting trees – and, through her efforts and theirs, inspired the rest of the world to follow.

I had the privilege of knowing Wangari.  When I met her in 2004, I knew there was something special about her.  She had a wonderful smile that would light up the darkest days, and a gentle but “never take no for an answer” persistence. While it is difficult to convey what she meant to me personally and to all of us, I’m honored to have known her, and she continues to inspire me every day.

In honor of Wangari Matthai, I’d like to share a special video below of her telling a story about the hummingbird and the forest fire.  In the story, which she loved to tell over and over again, Wangari shows us how it is better to be the hummingbird, trying against all odds to put out the forest fire, one drop of water at a time, rather than to stand back and say, “It can’t be done.”  This was the message she gave and exactly how she lived her life.

As we approach Earth Day, I would like to inspire each of you to take action.  This year, the Shaklee family will begin planting trees that contribute to the I am the Hummingbird campaign.  The Green Belt Movement’s worldwide goal is to plant one billion trees in memory of Wangari Maathai, and to further her goals for improving our world.

You can make a difference.  Every small act can create a positive effect in the world. You can help us carry on the legacy and life work of Wangari Maathai, and be the hummingbird in the forest, doing what you can.  Plant a tree and let us know about it.  Email us at earthday@shaklee.com and let us know about the trees you have planted – how many and where they are – and we’ll count them in our contribution to the I am the Hummingbird campaign.

Even better, reduce your energy and fuel consumption.  Use filtered water versus plastic bottles.  Switch to biodegradable, non-toxic household cleaners that work just as well.  Make your home safer, and the earth greener and cleaner.  And, don’t just do it; tell others about it too.

Thank you, and Happy Earth Day!

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  • M4rio

    I was kind of surprised that I didn’t see any big activities by Shaklee this year on Earth day.  I’m also disappointed that some of the most vital products such as baby lotion are still not available.  There was also the discontinued products and some of the oldies but goodies that (in my opinion) should have never been removed…So I wonder, with the return in major players such as Avon and Herbal Life, is Shaklee and its people going anywhere?  At one point Shaklee used to be such a well respected name, but today it seems to be falling behind by all  the hype created by inferior products.  Still, no matter how inferior, people don’t know the difference.  Wish you the best Shaklee but I think it’s time to make an impact that will reverberate our nation and the other countries.

    • ThriveAnneSiloy

      Sorry, but we were not short of Earth Day events in our area…did you check to see if there were any in yours?  Shaklee’s “I am a Hummingbird” project was the perfect fit/conversation starter and the Join Free Your Way, the perfect promotion to get new people started.
      And as for the baby products, it speaks very highly of Shaklee’s integrity that our baby products are on back order.  We teach people that you will never find another company that sacrifices profit for quality control like Shaklee. (Including the others you mentioned in your post)
      That’s what we have come to expect and respect about Shaklee and new people are always impressed.
      So, I guess I disagree with you on many of the points in your post. :-)
        In my opinion, Shaklee is THE company that’s going places, it’s up to us whether we want to hop on board or not. 

    • Reed

      I do not share the same microscope that you have looked through. The Shaklee I am involved with is vibrant and charging ahead.  We have people earning lots of money.  We have people earning trips.  We have new people on a pace to earn $100,000 in 15 months.  AND, the reason we have some products on temporary discontinuance is because of Shaklee’s absolute commitment to quality.  We an ingredient cannot be secured then Shaklee is not going to make the product with an inferior one.  BUT beyond all of that, Shaklee is still transforming live through improved health.  I love this company and all that it stands for.  I urge you to take a another look.  The Shaklee you referenced is not my Shaklee.

  • Karen Hanrahan

    I will never ever forget the Shaklee convention when Wangari spoke to us.  Her super huge grin, her tremendous warm glow and her beyond wise words filled the highly attended event. I think she  spoke very much with the similar beliefs that Dr Shaklee instilled as he built our company.  We do what we can.   I am very proud to champion both of these strong visionaries and pioneers in the work I do as a sales leader with Shaklee. I have never worked with a more forward thinking group of people. 

  • ThriveAnneSiloy

    In honor of Dr. Maathai, our Shaklee Team have been busy hummingbirds this month with all of our Earth Day events and we’re having so much fun!  On Friday a couple of our Team members went to a Sustainable Living Event at a local high school in which 2,000+ people visited to share information about Shaklee, Get Clean and our partnership with Wangari Maathai.  On Earth Day some more of our Shaklee Team participated in EarthFest, the largest Earth Day event in the Cleveland Area hosted by EarthDay Coalition and held at the Cleveland Metropark Zoo. Thousands of people attended that as well and we encouraged them to switch to Get Clean and join us in our campaign to plant 1 billion trees in honor of this wonderful woman.  Today I was invited to be a guest speaker at our local middle school to speak to an auditorium of 7th graders throughout the day to teach them what they can do as 12-13 yr olds to help their families be healthier and make more positive environmental choices…and of course I gave them information about Get Clean. (I’ve had the honor of teaching that Earth Day class for the last 8 years…and love it) You would not believe how ENGAGED those kids were, they really care about what they can do to make a difference and they loved hearing about Wangari Maathia and what that one wonderful woman did to make such an impact on the world.  At the end of my presentation this year I shared that fabulous video of Dr. Maathai’s & The Hummingbird Story, which, of course, they loved. ♥
    (I truly believe they left school today feeling empowered–as most people do once we share anything Shaklee with them!)
    Tonight we held ‘Get the Real Dirt on Clean’ regional event that was open to all Shaklee members, leaders and their guests in the Cleveland area which was also well attended.  We featured all the videos featuring Dr. Maathai…
    And we’re not done yet!
    Next Saturday we get to be a part of yet another Earth Day event, so the fun continues until the end of the month.  Thank you Shaklee (and Roger♥) for continuing to help all of us make such an impact on our planet and for partnering with such incredible individuals like Dr. Wangari Maathai.  We are so proud to be a part of this truly incredible company.  Thanks also for making it so easy for us to offer people the chance to try Shaklee on their terms with the Join Free Your Way promotion. That’s the PERFECT gift to give anyone in April, our Earth Day month.

  • WillinghamUnlimited

    We had a terreific Earth Day International Conference call tonight facillitated by EDEN (Earth Day Everyday Network of Shaklee people).  Nancy Baldwin at Shaklee Home Office spoke about the updates on our wonderful GET CLEAN green cleaners product line and ENFUSELLE skin care. There were product testimonials and comparison data shared..  Basic G usage and benefits were discussed. Roger joined the call for the 12th time to add to the Earth Day Celebration. The Tribute to Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Muta Maathai, our Global Ambassador for the Million Trees Campaign that turned into 12 Billion trees planted globally, was inspiring.  The Green Belt Movement she founded has created the “I Am The Hummingbird” campaign to plant a NEW BILLION Trees to honor the memory of Wangari. We are motivated to get out and share with more people what Shaklee has to offer for the health of families and the environment.
    I know there were many people who had booths and displays Saturday and Sunday
    to make the world more aware of the good things Shaklee.  We have a mission to spread the word. and plant the seeds of health and wealth, and it’s working.   

  • http://twitter.com/GoLeanNGreen Marcia Flach

    Thank you Roger, Dr. Maathai & Dr. Shaklee for everything you do and have done! Shaklee is great and getting better all the time! Each time you introduce a new program lately I’m telling my friends and prospects “they have never done THIS before”!!! I’m starting to wonder how you can top each new incentive! Like right now, Join Free w ANY product! WOW! I can’t wait to see what you do next! If you can see my image, it was a note left on my windshield on Earth Day weekend. What a great confirmation that we are in the right business, doing the right thing, at the right time. Creating Healthier Lives, one person at a time! 

  • Judy LaBrune

    This is a great reminder to do the best we can no matter what the battle may be or what we’re up against. Just do the best we can with what we have. thank you for sharing this message from Wangari.

  • Chris Hopkinson

    Mr. Barnett – My 6-year-old daughter had an anaphylactic reaction to Cinch last Thursday. She has severe nut allergies. My wife had two conversations with Shaklee employees before giving our daughter Cinch to confirm it was safe. Stan Pulliam first recommended the shake for my daughter’s seasonal allergies. My wife told Stan about my daughter’s nut allergies and he said it was safe. My wife also called a Shaklee product specialist regarding product ingredient inquiries. The product specialist also assured my wife Cinch would be safe, there was no cross contamination and that it was manufactured in a nut free facility. We’ve been trying to get answers for a week since her allergic reaction. We shipped the product back to Doug DeBernardi to confirm whether there was any contamination. He confirmed receipt of it Monday. We still have not been told if this product was or was not manufactured in a nut free facility. My wife and I are very frustrated with Shaklee’s lack of answers and slow response. More importantly, we are concerned for the safety of our daughter. We’ve had to further restrict her diet, take her out of school and have additional allergy testing done to eliminate other potential causes. Please contact us or have someone who can help do so as soon as possible and let us know if this product was manufactured in a nut free facility or not.

    Thanks for your understanding.

    Regards,

    Chris & Megan Hopkinson
    301-602-0487
    meganvhopkinson@gmail.com
    chrismhopkinson@gmail.com

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